History

The formation of Turkish painting in western sense starting from mid 19th century till the beginning of the 20th century can be said to be very active. The Mona Lisa is perhaps the best-known artistic painting in the Western world. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

The very first painting lessons were scheduled at "Mühendishane-i Berri-i Humayun" (Military School of Engineering) in 1793 mostly for technical purposes. Artists who formed the 19th century art milieu were from military and civilian schools. Some have been educated abroad, others in the country. A Christian minority and "Levanten" artists as well as foreign painters who influenced the art milieu lived and contributed to arts in Istanbul. Some Turkish artists like 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the religious people known as Christians. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

• Osman Hamdi Bey (1842-1910),
• Şeker Ahmet Paşa (1841-1907),
• Süleyman Seyyid (1842-1913),
• Halil Paşa (1860-1939)

of military background had been educated in arts abroad. Meanwhile *Hüseyin Zekai Paşa (1860-1919),

• Hoca Ali Riza (1864-1939),
• Ahmet Ziya Akbulut (1869-1938)

were among the other famous artists who had been educated in the country. Şeker Ahmet had his first exhibition in 1873 and his second one in 1875. 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

"Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi" (School of Fine Arts) was established with Osman Hamdi's attempts in 1883. A new era was beginning in painting with the return of the artists from the West. Human figure in the western sense was being established in Turkish painting especially with Osman Hamdi Bey. Impressionism, among the contemporary trends, appeared later on with Halil Paşa. Events January January 16 - The United States Civil service, is passed January 19 - The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires begins service (Roselle, New Jersey) It was built by Thomas Edison. ... See also Impressionist (entertainment): A girl with a watering can by Renoir, 1876 Impressionism was a 19th century art movement, which began as a private association of Paris-based artists who exhibited publicly in 1874. ...

The "Ottoman Painters' Society" was formed in 1909. The society started exhibitions in 1916 continuing till 1952 on a regular basis that would be remembered as "Galatasaray Exhibitions". 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...

Contemporary trends that emphasize figure start to appear gradually in Turkey with the "1914 Generation". Figure, composition and nudity entered the Turkish painting for the first time in the western sense with this generation. "Inas Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi" (School of Fine Arts for Girls) was founded for young women in 1914. Mihri Müşfik Hanim, Omer Adil, Feyhaman Duran were the first instructors. 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

A studio was built with army support in Şişli, a district of Istanbul, with Arseven's attempt in 1917. Lifij's "Progress" and "War Allegory", Çallı's "Cannon Carrier", Mehmet Ruhi's "Stone Breakers" were the first examples of multi figured and large dimensional compositions realised prior to and following this period. Right after the Şişli Studio, the Vienna Exhibition was held in 1918, the first exhibition abroad. 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Müstakiller (The Independents)

Young artists sent to Europe in 1926 came back inspired by contemporary trends such as Fauvism, Cubism and even Expressionism, still very influencial in Europe, and they took a stand against the "1914 Generation" members. The important goals of this new group were, though not very absolute, pictorial design structure and linear foundation rather than impressionist colorism. The activities of the group under the name of "Independent Painters and Sculptors' Association", expanded with the participation of new artists in 1929. The association's founders were painters The Dessert: Harmony in Red (1908) by Henri Matisse Les Fauves (French for wild beasts), a short-lived movement of early Modernist art, emphasized paint itself and the use of deep color over the representational values retained by Impressionism, even with its focus on light and the moment. ... ... On White II by Wassily Kandinsky, 1923. ...

• R. Fazıl (Epikman) (1902-1974),
• Cevat Hamit (Dereli) (1900-1989),
• Şeref Kamil (Akdik) (1862-1941),
• Mahmut Fehmi (Cuda) (1904-1987),
• Nurullah Cemal (Berk) (1906-1981),
• Hale Asaf (1905-1938),
• Ali Avni (Çelebi) (1904-1993),
• Ahmet Zeki (Kocamemi) (1900-1959),
• Muhittin Sebati (1901-1935),
• Ratip Asir (Acudoğlu) (1898-1957) sculptor,
• Fahrettin Arkunlar (1901-1971) decorator.

The question of how the new styles that Çelebi and Kocamemi formed, would fit into the realities of the country had been answered by Turgut Zaim (1904-1974). Zaim had given an original meaning to the structure of figure. The style the artist developed opposing to the new and comprehensive content which artists brought, had become a choice western trends.

"The Group D"

While the "Müstakiller" (The Independents) opened the doors of contemporary trends in Turkey, we see a newly founding group which would give a greater support to these efforts and of which their effectiveness lasted until the 1950's: "Group D". These artists introduced some trends that had lasted in the West for thirty, forty years. Group members were Events and trends Technology United States tests the first fusion bomb. ...

• Zeki Faik Izer (1905-1988),
• Nurullah Berk (1906-1981),
• Elif Naci (1898-1988),
• Cemal Tollu (1899-1968),
• Abidin Dino (1913-1993) and
• Zuhtu Muridoglu (1906-1992) sculptor.

The most significant distinction of "Group D" from the "Independents" was perhaps that they had gathered around a certain aesthetics with solidarity in determination to defend the new trends they wanted to bring in. "Group D" had not been representative of any particular view. They were open to anything new except Impressionism. The star of the Çallı generation faded away gradually after the "Independents" and "Group D" members had started to work at the Academy.

• Bedri Rahmi Eyuboğlu (1911-1975),
• Eren Eyuboğlu (1913-1988),
• Halil Dikmen (1906-1964),
• Eşref Üren (1897-1984),
• Sabri Berkel (1907-1993),
• Hakkı Anlı (1906-1990),
• Arif Kaptan (1906-1979),
• Salih Urallı (1908-1984).

Besides all this progress, from the beginning there had also been independent artists. Among these

• İlhan Demirci,
• Şefik Bursalı,
• Leyla Gamsız,
• Şemsi Arel,
• Maide Arel,
• Abidin Elderoğlu,
• Hamit Görele,
• Ziya Keseroğlu,
• Seyfi Toray

can be counted.

• Cemal Bingol,
• Nejat Devrim,
• Eren Eyuboğlu,
• Füreyya Kılıç

were among those who worked figuratively. Later on

• Adnan Coker,
• Lütfü Günay,
• Selim Turan (1915-1994),
• Fahrunissa Zeid (1901-1991)
• Adnan Turani

took place in this trend.

When we look at the formation that starts in the 1940's and materialized in the 1950's in Turkish painting, rather than particular group's or trend's individual styles come forward while the existence of some groups could still be observed. Events and trends Technology United States tests the first fusion bomb. ...

It can be said that during the 1940's, the notion that first came forward was originality, regionalism and nationalism.

"Yeniler Grubu" (The Newcomers Group) late 1930's

formed by those who had a social realist understanding. After they oğening of their "Harbour Paintings Exhibition", they had been remembered as the "Harbour Painters". Events and trends Technology Jet engine invented Science Nuclear fission discovered by Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassmann Pluto, the ninth planet from the Sun, is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh British biologist Arthur Tansley coins term ecosystem War, peace and politics Socialists proclaim The death of Capitalism Rise to...

• Nuri Iyem,
• Turgut Atalay,
• Avni Arbaş (1919-2003),
• Selim Turan,
• Ferruh Başağa,
• Kemal Sönmezler,
• Mümtaz Yener,
• Agop Arad,
• Haşmet Akal.

Avni Arbaş (Istanbul, 1919 - Izmir, 2003) was a Turkish artist best known for his paintings taking their subjects from the daily life, Turkish war of independence , Bosphorus, fishermen, horses and the nature. ...

"The Group Ten" 1947

formed by the students of Bedri Rahmi who started working basically by adding folkloric ornaments in their works and added a freshness to the art milieu

• Mustafa Esirkuş,
• Nedim Gunsur,
• Turan Erol,
• Fikret Otyam,
• Orhan Peker,
• Mehmet Pesen,
• Adnan Varinca.

"Yeni Dal Grubu" (The New Branch Group) 1959

focusing on social reality. 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

• Ibrahim Balaban,
• Avni Mehmetoğlu,
• Ihsan Incesu and Kemal Incesu.

"Siyah Kalem Grubu" (The Black Pen Group) 1961

with no common goal, but to use Cemal Bingol's studio. 1961 (As MAD Magazine pointed out on its first cover for the year) was the first upside-down year - i. ...

• Cemal Bingol,
• Ismail Altinok,
• Selma Arel,
• Lütfü Günay,
• Ihsan Cemal Karaburcak,
• Asuman Kılıç,
• Ayşe Sılay and
• Solmaz Tugac.

From the 1960's on the Turkish painting which gained great mobility with many artists with different styles is advancing towards a promising future. Events and trends The 1960s was a turbulent decade of change around the world. ...

Museums and collectors

Institutions and persons with collections of important Turkish paintings:

• Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Ankara Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Izmir Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Military Museum, Istanbul
• Turkish General Staff Headquarters, Ankara
• Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ankara
• National Library, Ankara
• Turkiye Is Bankasi, Ankara
• Akbank, Istanbul
• Turkish Republic Ziraat Bankasi, Ankara
• Yapi Kredi Bankasi, Istanbul
• Sabanci Family
• Erol Aksoy
• Mustafa Taviloglu
• Kemal Erhan
• Naci Terzi
• Belkis Aksoy and many more collectioners.
• State Art Galleries in many cities of Turkey.
• Collections belonging to galleries especially in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.